Further to the negotiations under the Ad Hoc
Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), the Conference of the
Parties (COP), by its
decision 1/CP.19, invited all Parties to initiate or intensify domestic
preparations for their INDCs towards achieving the objective of the Convention as set out in
its Article 2, without prejudice to the legal nature of the contributions, in the context of
adopting a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the
Convention applicable to all Parties.

The Conference of the Parties (COP), by its decisions 1/CP.19 and 1/CP.20, invited all
Parties to communicate to the secretariat their INDCs well in advance of COP 21 (by the first
quarter of 2015 by those Parties ready to do so) in a manner that facilitates the clarity,
transparency and understanding of the INDC. In decision 1/CP.20 the COP also invited all
Parties to consider communicating their undertakings in adaptation planning or consider including an adaptation component
in their intended nationally determined contributions.

In decision 1/CP.20 it is further specified that in order to
facilitate clarity, transparency and understanding, the information to be provided by Parties
communicating their intended nationally determined contributions may include, as appropriate,
inter alia, quantifiable information on the reference point (including, as appropriate, a
base year), time frames and/or periods for implementation, scope and coverage, planning
processes, assumptions and methodological approaches including those for estimating and
accounting for anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and, as appropriate, removals, and how
the Party considers that its intended nationally determined contribution is fair and
ambitious, in light of its national circumstances, and how it contributes towards achieving
the objective of the Convention as set out in its Article 2.

By decision
1/CP.21, paragraph 13, the COP reiterated its invitation to all Parties that
have not yet communicated their INDC, to do so as soon as possible and well in advance of COP
22. In paragraph 22, the COP also invited Parties to communicate their first NDC no
later than when the Party submits its respective instrument of ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession of the Paris Agreement. In accordance with paragraph 30, all
communicated NDCs have been made available on the public NDC interim
registry.

INDC communication process

To communicate INDCs to the secretariat Parties are invited to contact the secretariat at
INDCs@unfccc.int.

INDC FAQ

How should INDCs be communicated?

INDCs to be communicated by each Party to the UNFCCC secretariat by contacting the
secretariat at INDCs@unfccc.int., in a manner
that facilitates the clarity, transparency and understanding of the INDCs (1/CP.19
para. 2 (b), 1/CP.20, paras. 9 and 13, 1/CP.21, paras 12 and 13).

When to communicate INDCs?

INDCs to be communicated well in advance of COP 22 in Marrakesh (1/CP.21
para.13).

Who can communicate INDCs?

INDCs to be communicated by each Party through the Party’s national focal point
for climate change.

Questions

Questions or requests for clarification can be addressed at the secretariat INDCs@unfccc.int.

Please notethat the secretariat does not promote any particular methods or publications.
Links to external resources are provided only as a convenience to the Parties and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the secretariat.